GOP-Run House Passes Several Anti-Consumer Bills, Including an Anti-Firefighter Bill
15-Sep-04
Congress

Center for Justice & Democracy: "The U.S. House of Representatives [has attacked] consumer rights and the lawyers who represent them..." said Joanne Doroshow, Exec Dir of CJ&D." Among the bills passed was the "Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act," which "forces federal and some state judges to impose serious sanctions on attorneys who file 'frivolous' suits. However, research shows that the incidence of frivolous suits is extremely low, and for those rare times it does occur, judges are already empowered, in their discretion, to impose sanctions." Thus the bill may be a prelude toward redefining (a favorite Bush admin trick) what constitutes "frivolous," the ultimate goal being to place corporations above the law. Another outrageous bill passed that "would immunize entities that donate unsafe fire equipment to volunteer fire departments."

House OKs Special Elections if Attacked
23-Apr-04
Congress

AP: "Fearing that terrorists might target Congress, the House [in a 306-97 vote] on Thursday approved a bill to set up speedy special elections if 100 or more of its members are killed... The measure would require special elections within 45 days of the House speaker confirming that a catastrophic event had left at least 100 of the 435 seats vacant.... The current legislation has split the two parties in the House, with many Democrats saying they were not given the chance to offer a constitutional amendment that would allow for temporary appointments until special elections could be held... Critics of the 45-day election plan said it was both too short a time for some states to prepare for elections and too long to leave Congress in a paralyzed state. Several warned of a martial law condition, with the executive branch taking over legislative authorities such as declaring war during the 45 days that Congress is unable to function."

"The goal of our non-partisan Congressional Report Cards is to help you evaluate members of the US Congress on the most important, and often ignored by the media, part of their job: making 'good' laws. Each 'report card' is an easy-to-understand graphical report that shows how closely the position on legislation of a member of Congress matched the position on legislation of one or more advocacy groups over the period of up to six years. The groups' position comes from the groups' publications that we monitor. The advocacy groups analyze the legislation they consider important and publish the results of their legislative research. We have been collecting the advocacy groups' positions on legislation since 1991 and, as of March 2002, have over 6,500 positions from over 50 advocacy groups covering a wide range of issues such as the environment, abortion, labor, consumer rights, civil liberties, gun control, taxes, defense spending, public health, etc." This is an AWESOME tool!!!

Congress: Reflect on Your Responsibility and Rise with Commitment and Eloquence
20-Sep-02
Congress

Dear Honorable Members of Congress: I am writing to you to express my deep concern about the threats to our rights and indeed to our laws posed by the Bush Administration's conduct and proposals. These threats come in more forms than I can enumerate, but they include the failure to accord prisoners their constitutional rights, the invasion of our privacy in libraries, and the harassment of individuals of Middle Eastern descent, as well as the expansion and empowerment of secret agencies such as the FBI, a known manipulator of events and falsifier of evidence, representing a terrible threat to our liberty. We depend on free speech to make our country great. When Americans live in fear and hesitate to speak up, our fundamental character as a democracy is threatened. You who are in Congress have a special responsibility, as your willingness to speak up and question emboldens the rest of the citizens to do the same.

Corporate Lobbyists' Role in Washington is Enormous
13-May-02
Congress

Ever wonder how the Enron's of the world game the system? Anne Mulkern of the Denver Post Washington Bureau offers a glimpse behind the curtain: "The business community needed a miracle. A key congressional vote on expanded free trade was days away, and supporters were desperate to find more allies. They somehow had to sway three North Carolina lawmakers, but that state's textile industry would be devastated. It seemed impossible to pull off. Until a garrulous Colorado lobbyist intervened. Sean Callinicos, the sole Washington, D.C., employee of Louisville-based Storage Technology Corp., once worked for a North Carolina senator. Armed with that connection -- and evidence showing how other workers would benefit -- he charmed, cajoled and persuaded the North Carolina members of Congress. The measure passed by one vote."

The Democratic Leadership Council recently suggested that if Congress was shut down by terrorists, Members of Congress could vote on legislation over the Internet. Technically, that's not much of a challenge. But if we go down that road, why don't we simply bypass Congress altogether? Why don't we create a system that lets WE THE PEOPLE vote directly on legislation? If we did that, we could stop the obscene war profiteering, both financial and ideological - including the destruction of the Bill of Rights. Let's fight terrorism with Democracy!

Thurmond Uses Senate as Luxury Nursing Home, While Millions of 'Everyday' Elderly Do without Even Basics
01-Sep-01
Congress

Compared to Strom Thurmond (R-SC), who is two years short of a century, Sen. Ernest F. Hollings (D-SC) is a spring chicken. Thurmond is not only old, says Hollings, he is no longer "mentally keen" (a nice way of saying the gray cells have long since entered the neural nursing home) and remains in the senate basically because "the poor fellow doesn't have any place to go." But, then, adds Hollings "Someone has said the best nursing home is the U.S. Senate. He's got a car, a place to stay, and somebody over there at night at the apartment with him. If he's well enough, he's in the pool for a few laps." It would be funny, except for the millions of elderly Americans who, thanks to Thurmond and his rightwing buddies, have no insurance and are dependent on an ailing medicare system. They're lucky to get a bed in a crowded ward at a third-rate nursing home.

As Billions Are Sucked from Social Security and Medicare for Defense and Oil Company Handouts, Lawmakers Obsess about Historic Byways
20-Aug-01
Congress

The Washington smokescreen is getting more and more transparent. In an administration where billions are being thrown at an unwanted Star Wars scheme and handouts to big oil, where the fate of Soc. Security and Medicare are threatened and 1 in 3 Americans have inadequate healthcare, what do legislators throw their energy into? Historic byway spending. That's right, folks. Your legislators are squabbling energetically over how the $21 million for prettying up stretches of state highways is divvied up. They didn't even make this kind of noise over the $43 million (that's more than TWICE as much) shipped off to the Taliban terrorists. Let's make it a reg. ritual to give our legislators a Monday morning "wake up" call (or e-mail or fax) to remind them of the BIGGER issues at hand!

The Toxic Texans - George Bush, Dick Cheney, Tom DeLay, Dick Armey et al - did their dirty work in the Republican House, defeating an amendment by Ed Markey to protect the Arctic Wildlife Refuge by 223-206 (roll call #317: http://capwiz.com/dem/issues/votes/?votenum=317&chamber=H&congress=1071 ). The vast majority of Republicans voted for the oil companies that fund them, in a vote as corrupt as any taken by Congress - proving yet again the need for public funding of campaigns and the defeat of the Republican leadership. A few dozen suburban Republicans voted with the Democrats, but a few dozen Democrats from oil and coal producing districts (with additional encouragement from the Teamsters) voted with the Toxic Texans. Some of these Democrats cast a cynical vote, hoping the Democratic Senate would stand firm against the malevolent act by the House. But these Democrats need to be held accountable by their constituents.

"No one does absurdity quite like Congress... There are more than 43 million Americans without health insurance. Those who have health insurance are paying higher and higher premiums for less and less coverage. And, judging from Vice President Dick Cheney's latest heart procedure, we have a two-tiered health care system where those with the means can get the finest in health care while millions rely upon emergency rooms as their primary caregivers. In other words, the system is screwed up. And what has Congress and President Bush been fighting about? The right to sue your HMO. Of course, why the debate has been reduced to this has a lot to do with the other item that conservatives have croaked once again -- campaign finance reform. If you want to know why little is ever done in the public interest, just remember the advice of Watergate whistleblower "Deep Throat" and "follow the money." " So writes Randolph T. Holltut in the "American Reporter."

US PIRG is the central lobbying office for one of the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan grass roots networks in the US, representing hundreds of thousands of members nationwide. These folks are in touch with the true "average American," and mean to make that contact count even more from here on out. This Congressional scorecard is right now being personally distributed to millions of Americans - by hand - in a door to door campaign throughout US cities, towns, and rural communities. So read it and take notice, Congress, especially you "Zeroes": You can run, but you cannot hide. And, this time, you just may not get reelected.

Congress Votes 265 to 157 to Bar New Drilling in Great Lakes, Despite Bid By Gov. John Engler to Sell Out Michigan to Big Oil
30-Jun-01
Congress

Congress earned its July 4 break by voting overwhelmingly to bar new drilling in the Great Lakes. Michigan's Republican governor John Engler, acting in collusion with Shrub, was all set to open up Lake Michigan and Lake Huron to new drilling leases, disregarding any dangers to the people of his state from oil spills and hydrogen sulfide releases that could contaminate the drinking water supply of millions. We're thrilled the House rose to the occasion and voted 265 to 157 to bar new drilling. We should note that the greedy SOB (Sleazy Oil Brown-noser) Tom DeLay blasted Florida for daring to put a clean environment ahead of oil in another successful block of drilling on the Florida coast. He has punished the state by actively seeking to impede the completion of an important natural gas pipeline to the state. Another example of his "Good Christian" attitude.

According to the AP, "Stung by the potential defection, the White House urgently contacted
longtime Jeffords' donors and political supporters Tuesday, hoping they
could persuade the senator to stay in the GOP." We can't match the rich Republicans dollar-for-dollar, but we can each send $1! So if you want Jim Jeffords to switch to the Democratic Party, send $1 to: Jeffords For Vermont Committee Inc, P.O. Box 246, C/O Susan Russ, Montpelier, VT 05601. Then call his office (202-224-5141) to tell him. And sign our petition so everyone knows!

Jeffords Delays Announcement Until Thursday
23-May-01
Congress

On Tuesday night, Jim Jeffords told his fellow Republicans that he will leave the GOP but remain an Independent, while allying himself with the Democrats. The big question is whether he will delay the effective date of his switch until AFTER the tax giveaway passes, or whether he will do so immediately. If he switches now, Democrats will gain control of the Senate calendar, and could pull the tax bill off the floor. In addition, Democrats would control the Senators appointed to the conference committee, where they could insist on a smaller tax cut than House Republican conferences will demand. Democrats would also control all Senate committees, and would be in a stronger position to block Bush nominations. Because the stakes are SO high, Jeffords is under tremendous pressure from Republicans - including calls from the White House to his biggest donors. Jeffords delayed his announcement by a day so he could return home to Vermont, and get out of the Washington crossfire. Stay tuned...

Congress Can't Cope with E-mail
19-Mar-01
Congress

Members of Congress are inundated with so many e-mail messages from constituents and special interest groups -- 80 million last year alone -- that lawmakers routinely ignore most of them, according to a new study by the Congress Online Project. "The growing number of citizens are increasingly frustrated by what they perceive to be Congress' lack of responsiveness to e-mail. At the same time, Congress is frustrated by what it perceives to be e-citizens' lack of understanding of how Congress works," it added. Sorry, we know exactly how Congress works - the Republicans who run it take their orders from multinational corporations and the radical right, and treat the other 98% of Americans with utter contempt.

The Public Was Ill Served by Dan 'Watermelon Head' Burton's Pardon Inquisition
12-Mar-01
Congress

Now that pardon pandemonium is dying down because Bush the Dumber feared that the media was starting to question Papa Bush's pardons, we can look at what Bush and his Congressional junkyard dogs accomplished: just another big waste of taxpayer money.
They also muddied up Bill Clinton in the process, which was real their goal all along. Meanwhile, we are no further along in understanding how Papa Bush got away with pardoning a whole crew of people who betrayed the nation with their treasonous Iran-Contra scheme. That's the real crime of it all, isn't it?

Sooner or Later, the GOP Won't Have Clinton to Kick Around Anymore
15-Feb-01
Congress

What will they do when they no longer can use Congress to investigate Clinton? What will the GOP do? Well, the answer is clear: they will investigate everything!

Bernie Sanders, Vermont's Independent Congressman who calls himself a Socialist, doesn’t mince words. Ask him about how the Republicans are constantly hounding the Democrats in a one sided assault on “ethics and morality,” Sanders responds, “What about the immorality of our public policies? I think that it is grossly immoral to propose a tax cut, as Bush is doing, where a mother of two who earns $22,000 a year would not benefit at all from a tax cut tailor-made for the wealthiest in our society. Meanwhile, the millionaire would get $40,000 in tax relief. That’s immoral. This issue of morals should not just be about matters of personal conduct but about matters of public policy that affect the welfare of our country.” Read more about what Sanders has to say about Bush's tax proposal and other challenges facing progressives.

Bob Barr is a Leading Member of the GOP Rogues Gallery
14-Feb-01
Congress

One of the most dumbfounding aspects of the unrelenting GOP assault on all things Democratic is how indignant many of the Republican Congressional leaders are about morality and ethics when they are immoral and unethical. Take Congressman Bob "Impeach them all" Barr. The guy makes pond scum look upstanding.

The House Republicans are Just Tossing Crumbs at the Dems
09-Feb-01
Congress

Emboldened by the "power sharing" agreement in the Senate, the Dems in the House want more power. But Tom Delay and his man Friday, Dennis Hastert, will have nothing of it. Are the House Dems destined to remain second class citizens?

Petition to Congress: Investigate This!!
08-Feb-01
Congress

Once again, the Republican Congress is investigating Clinton. We could say "Get Over It!", but we'd rather say "Investigate This!" - and point to all of the wrongdoing by current and former Republican administrations. Sign our petition!

Orrin Hatch, It's Back to Nursery School for You!
03-Feb-01
Congress

Orrin Hatch is one of the most skilled practitioners of the new GOP double standard: If a Democrat does it, its wrong and evil: if a Republican does it, it's praiseworthy!

This Long Island Housewife is Mad as Hell: Democratic Senators Take Note
06-Jan-01
Congress

"
You see, I believe in a rather frail and antiquated notion that when one vote is disenfrachised, all are. To me, being a child of privilege means being a citizen of conscience and responsibility. I believed that the party of FDR, JFK and LBJ stood for those noble principles as well.
Today I was proved dreadfully wrong." So says a self-described Long Island mother of three, who is indignant that no Democratic senator would stand up for democracy:"How on earth can it be that only six Democratic Senators had the decency to attend but much worse than that, not one--not one--Democratic Senator had the courage to stand alongside the House Members of the Black Caucus. My God, you showed more backbone during the Impeachment than you did today!"

Leadership Requires Courage, Which We Didn't See Enough of Today
06-Jan-01
Congress

"Some people are saying we must slow up. . . . They are saying we must adopt a policy of moderation. Now if moderation means moving on with wise restraint and calm reasonableness, then moderation is a great virtue. . . . But if moderation means slowing up in the move for justice and capitulating to the whims and caprices of the guardians of the deadening status quo, then moderation is a tragic vice which all men of good will must condemn,"
as said by Dr. Martin Luther King in 1958 speech on nonviolence. Not one Democratic Senator would stand up for justice today. Our readers respond.

Why do Republicans Get Away With Sexual Escapades When Democrats Get Impeached?
05-Jan-01
Congress

Congressman Bill Thomas, a Republican from California, has been selected by an elite GOP House committee as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, the premier committee chairmanship in the House of Representatives.
The mainstream press is not bringing up a rather nettlesome ethical issue about the Congressman, however. His conservative hometown paper, the Bakersfield Californian, reluctantly disclosed this summer that Thomas had pursued an “intimate relationship” with a high-powered drug company lobbyist. Because he headed the Ways and Means Sub-Committee on Health, Thomas had the most influence over any Medicare pharmacy legislation. The Bakersfield Californian noted that the appearance of a serious conflict of interest caused them to disclose the liaison.

Some Activists Are Telling Democratic Senators to Get a Back Bone
04-Jan-01
Congress

In this New York Times article, read how Kate Michelman, head of NARAL, upbraided Senator Torricelli of New Jersey, for supporting John Ashcroft. Michelman and other progressive activists vow to fight Ashcroft's nomination to the bitter end. But they will need some key Democratic Senators who are willing to battle for their party.

Tell Your Democratic Senators to Stay and Fight!
14-Dec-00
Congress

With Tom DeLay in control of both the House of Representatives and the White House, the only brake on his extremist agenda is the 50-50 Senate. Now rumors are circulating about Republicans luring one Democratic Senator into the Bush cabinet or some other plum job. If you have a Democratic Senator, tell them to honor their commitment to you and the other Democratic voters in your state. And while you're at it, tell them to oppose the DeLay Agenda with every breath!

Political Vultures Circle Over Thurmond and Helms
12-Dec-00
Congress

"Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) turned 98 this month and clutches the elbow of an aide as he moves slowly about the Capitol. Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.), 78, has had cancer, heart bypass surgery, two knee replacements and a nerve ailment that forces him to use a motorized scooter most of the time."

Tom DeLay is Going To Be Coming at You
07-Dec-00
Congress

Tom DeLay is salivating a bit lately, thinking of all the bizarre right wing-Jihad inspired legislation he is going to have Bush sign. Remember, this is the king of the House junkyard dogs. He is a vicious "moral absolutist" when it comes to Democrats, but a "moral relativist" when it comes to his erring GOP brethern. Sound like a double standard? Not to our boy Tom.

Tom DeLay is Going To Be Coming at You
07-Dec-00
Congress

Tom DeLay is salivating a bit lately, thinking of all the bizarre right wing-Jihad inspired legislation he is going to have Bush sign. Remember, this is the king of the House junkyard dogs. He is a vicious "moral absolutist" when it comes to Democrats, but a "moral relativist" when it comes to his erring GOP brethern. Sound like a double standard? Not to our boy Tom.

Jesse Helms Takes on the World!
05-Dec-00
Congress

While all eyes are on Florida, that old apostle of black helicopters and communist conspiracies -- the one and only GOP senior statesman Jesse Helms is taking on the world. Every nation on the earth may be supporting a genocide trial treaty, but not Jesse! Hey, Dubya, are you on Jesse's side?

Tom DeLay is Back up to His Dirty Tricks
16-Nov-00
Congress

Is is any surprise that the bilious, reprehensible Tom DeLay is already making plans for the House Republicans to steal back the Presidency if Bush's strategy falters in Florida. DeLay led the movement to overturn the people's will when he tried to impeach Clinton, now he has contingency plans to rob Gore of the election.

What Will Happen if the Senate Ends up With a 50-50 Split?
14-Nov-00
Congress

Well, in that case the Dems want half of the committee leadership positions. It's not yet an issue, because the Washington Senate seat is still undecided. But if it goes to the Democrat, look for some high-powered maneuvering and elbowing in the next few weeks.

Just as the widow of Governor Mel Carnahan announced that she would accept an appointment to the Senate if people vote for her husband's name, the GOP is acting like jerks and vowing not to seat her. That's according to Bob Novak, the GOP house organ. Boy, and the Republicans claim to be civil and respectful. They should get a good strapping for behaving that way toward a lady!

Tom DeLay, Bush's fellow conservative Texan (okay, Tommy Boy is a half-crazed zealot), pulled the rug out from under his house negotiators on a budget deal. If anyone had any doubt that Hastert is just a figurehead Speaker, they can see his strings now. DeLay is banking that the stand-off with the President will help win a few hotly contested Congressional seats for the GOP. The last time Tommy Boy and Newtie went mano-a-mano with Clinton on the budget, they got their pants pulled off. Once again, we'll bet on Clinton -- and the election.

Right Wing U.S. Senator Could Lose in Race Against a Dead Man
27-Oct-00
Congress

After Missouri Governor Carnahan died in a plane crash, right wing boor John Ashcroft was considered a shoe in to be re-elected a U.S. Senator. But recent polls show that, in this case, the dead man may beat the live one. Carnahan's widow has said that she might accept an appointment to fill the senate seat if her husband (who is deceased) wins. Stay tuned for this one!

Dems Could Pick up Four House Seats in California
22-Oct-00
Congress

Yes, the Democrats might gain four house seats in California. That's great news, because it will help Dems retake the House.

Carnahan's Death Complicates Chances of a Democratic Senate
18-Oct-00
Congress

Before his death in a plane accident the other evening, Govenor Carnahan was in a neck-and-neck race against incumbent Senator John Ashcroft, a conservative of gargantuan proportions. Because of the short time frame before the election, however, there is not time for Missouri officials to remove Carnahan's name from the ballot. In theory, if enough voters choose the deceased Democratic candidate, which is allowable, the new Governor (Carnahan's Lt. Governor and a fellow Democrat) will choose a person to fill the Senate seat. Unfortunately, most pundits consider this hypothetical chain of events as unlikely. That means 6 more years of Ashcroft -- and a Republican Senate for at least another 2 years.

Senate Republicans Block Tire Safety Bill
07-Oct-00
Congress

Isn't it great how Bush and so many Republican candidates are trying to sound compassionate and concerned this year? Don't buy a word of it. "Unnamed" GOP senators are holding up a bill that would hold tire manufacturers more accountable for their products, like the Firestone tires on the Ford Explorer. Allegedly, the Republicans are doing it at the request of the tire industry. If you own a car and value your life, you're a fool to vote for a Republican.

It Pays to be a Republican When It Comes to Ethical Lapses.
06-Oct-00
Congress

Spending thousands of dollars on lavish meals, letting lobbyists pay for his travel and expenses, letting a lobbyist have use of his office, misusing campaign funds -- these are but a few of the ethical lapses of Republican Transportation Chairman Bud Shuster (PA). Yes, he got a slap on the wrist from the House Ethics Committee, but they didn't call for a house vote on his "serious official misconduct." The guy's as sleazy as they come, but the Republicans let him off lightly. If he were a Democrat, the Congressman would have been burned at the stake by now.

House GOP Leaders Kill Hate Crimes Bill: Have They No Justice?
06-Oct-00
Congress

Tom DeLay and his thugs killed a hate-crimes bill that would have extended coverage to crimes motivated by sexual orientation, gender or disability. Don't expect George Bush to chastise his cohorts on the Hill. You know whose side he is on.

Can the Democrats Retake the Senate?
26-Sep-00
Congress

Can dreams come true? Is it really possible that the Democrats can once again control the Senate? It could happen.

White House to Attack GOP Drug Plan for Seniors.
11-Sep-00
Congress

The White House is ready to take on Congressional Republicans over their prescription drug proposal for seniors. The plan would fail to reach many low-income golden agers and take a long time to implement. By drawing attention to the plan's shortcomings, the White House is letting the public know that Bush and the GOP aren't looking after the elderly. Are you listening down in Florida?

Daffy Dan Burton Has Some Competition.
05-Sep-00
Congress

It gets lonely sometimes when you are facing a Republican Congressman who received 72% of the vote in the last election. The Democrats won’t put much money in your race, because the odds are too long. And Hoosier Republicans seem to like Dan Burton (6th – Indiana) just fine, even if he exhibits lavishly hypocritical and daffy behavior.
Darin Patrick Griesey is the Dem who is running full steam ahead to offer an alternative to the dangerously eccentric Burton. When you don’t have much dough, you need to come up with inventive campaign tactics. Patrick is riding around his district on horse back for one. For another, he agreed to be interviewed by BuzzFlash.com about the race, Burton, and his vision for the district.

'I have to say that Dick Armey's apparent obsession with my sexuality is getting a little creepy.'
24-Aug-00
Congress

So says Congressman Barney Frank of Massachuetts. Armey, one of the GOP House stalwarts, recently made another crude remark demeaning Frank for being gay.
In an online interview for the Washington Post, the refreshingly candid Frank discusses his detractors and his own take on policy issues in the 2000 race.

A Long Distance Runner Takes on the
23-Aug-00
Congress

Political Pundits used to portray Congressman Henry Hyde (IL – 6th) as a “venerable,” “distinguished,” “golden-tongued orator.” Maybe the media was just hard up to find a GOP House leader who was even moderately pragmatic and civil. In any case, the silver-maned congressman from the wealthy Chicago suburban area of DuPage County got his reputation a little muddied up in the impeachment process. Some critics accused him of being a bombastic hack all along. Now, Brent Christensen, a 37-year-old Democrat thinks he has a shot at dethroning Hyde from his sinecure.

The Democrats are Putting Congressman and Senators up front and Ready for Prime Time.
16-Aug-00
Congress

At the GOP convention, you had to strain to find a member of Congress at the podium. It was a "showcase George W. Bush" affair, pure and simple. But in L.A., you could trip over the Congressional candidates coming and going as they make their way to the microphone. Put simply, the Dems want to win both houses: the one on Pennsylvania Avenue and the one on Capitol Hill.